cordon off

USAGE SUMMARY

"cordon off" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means to create a perimeter around a certain area. For example: "The police cordoned off the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So we cordon off that area and take appropriate action.

The New York Times

Lauers ordered his platoon to cordon off the building.

Harvard Business Review

"You can come in, cordon off a city, and level it, à la Falluja.

The New Yorker

It allows me to cordon off time in a way that can be very contemplative".

The New Yorker

But it could not even cordon off the school in which the hostages were held.

The Economist

Trauma victims frequently attempt to cordon off their most painful memories.

The New Yorker

We often like to cordon off racism as what bad people do on the fringes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Police were also beginning to cordon off roads in the threatened areas.

The Guardian

If the city agrees, the homeowners could cordon off the street or otherwise protect it.

The New York Times

The police have had to cordon off the main street several times.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are no police to unspool tape and cordon-off sensitive areas.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security measures or crime scenes, use "cordon off" to clearly convey the establishment of a boundary to control access and maintain order.

Common error

Avoid using "cordon off" when you simply mean to block something temporarily. "Cordon off" implies a more formal and often security-related perimeter.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cordon off" functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (the area being cordoned off). It describes the action of establishing a perimeter or barrier to prevent entry or exit. This is supported by Ludwig examples where authorities, police, or soldiers act upon a location.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cordon off" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrasal verb that describes the act of isolating an area, primarily for security or investigative purposes. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is predominantly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to professional register. When using "cordon off", ensure that you are referring to a formal restriction with the intention of controlling access or preventing movement. Alternatives such as "seal off" or "block off" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seal off

Implies a more complete and often permanent closure of an area.

block off

Suggests a physical obstruction is used to prevent passage.

close off

Indicates a temporary or less severe form of restriction.

isolate

Focuses on separating an area or group from others, often for quarantine or protection.

seal in

Emphasizes trapping something within a confined space.

fence off

Involves erecting a fence to mark boundaries and restrict access.

barricade

Highlights the use of makeshift barriers for protection or control.

demarcate

Implies clearly marking the boundaries of an area, often without physical barriers.

separate

A more general term for creating a division between areas or groups.

restrict access to

Focuses on limiting who or what can enter an area.

FAQs

How to use "cordon off" in a sentence?

The phrase "cordon off" is used to describe the act of preventing access to an area, usually for safety or investigative reasons. For example, "Police will "cordon off" the area after the incident."

What can I say instead of "cordon off"?

You can use alternatives such as "seal off", "block off", or "close off" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "cordon off" or "cordon off of"?

"Cordon off" is the correct and complete phrasal verb. Adding "of" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "cordon off" and "isolate"?

"Cordon off" usually refers to physically blocking access to an area, while "isolate" implies separating something or someone from others, not necessarily with a physical barrier.